Variations OnThat Key Motif

It is probably fair to call this a historic recording since originally it was just released on two long playing vinyl albums in a limited edition of only 100 in 1964 and now makes a first appearance on disk. Passacaglia on DSCH for piano by Ronald Stevenson is certainly a gruelling test for any pianist and is possibly the longest continuous movement in the repertoire for solo piano, clocking in here as played by the composer at close on 75 minutes. It weaves continuous variations over an unvarying ground bass made up of the key Shostakovich DSCH motif. The motif will be immediately familiar to those who know the output of Shostakovich but Stevenson imparts so much of himself into this work which invites comparison with Shostakovich's own 24 preludes and fugues, as well as the more venerable Diabelli and Goldberg variations by Beethoven and Bach. Stevenson conjures an extraordinary range of colour and texture from the piano, it really can be said to mimic an orchestra and the piece runs a gamut from tempestuous to peaceful. Various techniques such as plucking and strumming the internal strings of the piano are used sparingly and in no way feel at all gimmmicky, everything here is in service of the music. Shostakovich received a bound copy of the score but sadly his reaction to the music doesn't appear to have been documented.